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A classic side view of a lemon crumb bar on a white plate, with bright lemon slices and a soft blue background.
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Easy Lemon Crumb Bars

A buttery oat and brown sugar crust layered with a sweet and tangy lemon filling, topped with a golden crumble.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crumb bars, dessert, lemon
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 562kcal
Author: Sara

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups quick oats
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest finely grated
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 large egg yolks

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF and prepare an 8x8-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, quick oats, salt, and baking soda.
  • Add sugar and brown sugar. Mix again.
  • Add melted butter and vanilla. Work mixture together until dough forms.
  • Firmly press half of this mixture into your prepared baking dish.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • While crust is baking, combine remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
  • Pour lemon mixture over baked crust.
  • Sprinkle remaining crust over top.
  • Bake for an additional 20-22 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before serving.

Notes

  • Allow the Bars to Cool: Refrigerating or even freezing for a brief time will allow for easier cutting and serving.
  • Fresh Ingredients: Always try to use fresh lemons for your zest and juice if possible. Fresh ingredients have a brighter, fresher flavor that makes a difference in the taste and texture of your bars. 
  • Grate Lemon Zest Finely: If you have one, a microplane is a great tool to get freshly grated lemon zest. This will give your bars a fresher, stronger lemon flavor. 
  • Avoid Over mixing Crumble: Since we want a crumbly crust and topping, try not to over mix your oat mixture too much.

Nutrition

Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 741IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 2mg